Chapter 5: Rescue Her
It has been a week since I first saw Bella Cullen. Since that first day in Biology class I haven't said another word to her. She seems to be ignoring me on purpose, not hat it was hard to do. I still couldn't find the courage to talk to her. Everyday after class she all but ran from our table. For reasons unknown. I couldn't read her like I could everyone else. It seemed that at every glance she bore a different emotion, never being able to put my finger on the thoughts that made her smile that way, or frown another. I never felt so handicapped, as when I was in her presence.
I made it to the school and pulled into my regular spot. I purposely got to school forty minutes early. The weather was nice and I chose to sit on the trunk of my car and catch up on my history reading. With all the day dreaming I had gotten quite behind in the reading, and studying of the Civil War. Naturally I was full aware of when the Jeep Wrangler being driven by Emmett, pulled on to the lot. Unconsciously I was searching for her. We locked eyes as she walked around the car. She smiled. What was she thinking? Why couldn't I read her like I could read everyone else?
By third hour Instrumental Music class I realized I couldn't remember anything about the day. My mind was completely occupied by thoughts of her. Instrumental music was my favorite class. Being the only person in the school who could play a grand piano had its perks. Mr. Tullson allowed me to compose my own music and work independently. I invested in my own state-of-the-art headphones so that I could hear every note and feel completely alone. They came in handy today, as I perfected the lullaby I wrote for a brunette beauty who only half knew I existed. The music was somber, so I simply called it Her Lullaby although the ending was sad. By the time I made it to the end of the lullabyI had to acknowledge the fact that she would never hear it. That made me feel even more upset than not being able to talk to her. I didn't hear the bell ring. I only saw the other students leaving. I was gong to be late.
The hallway was pretty empty as I slowly made my way to the Office. As it was becoming a usual habit for me, I was completely unaware of my surrounds.
"Let go of my arm. NOW!" I would have recognized that voice in a crowd of a million. I've never heard it in distress before.
"Come on Bella. How about a small kiss?" I knew that voice too – Patrick Franks. School jock and complete asshole as far as the female student body was concerned. They were on the next hall. I ran. I had to help her. I had to protect her. A snarl rip through the air. A sound like that couldn't have come from her. Could it?
As I rounded the corner to the next hall, I saw him forcing her closer and leaning in to kiss her. I saw red, not just because he was forcing himself on a woman but because he was forcing himself on this woman. She was to fragile and beautiful to be mishandled. I ran to them and forced my way between Bella and Patrick. I simultaneously pushed Patrick away and covered Bella with my entire body.
"Back off Patrick. Now!" I have never heard my voice so deep and raspy. I could feel the anger flowing through every vain in my body. I didn't know how I was breathing normally standing so close to her. Her scent surrounded me. I was worst than Patrick, I wanted to turn around and kiss her urgently, but gently as a woman should be done.
"Back away Swan. This doesn't concern you."
"It does now. Now back away before I do it for you."
After a pause, Patrick picked up his backpack and walked away, backwards, slowly. I didn't turn to look at Bella until Patrick had turned away and rounded the corner opposite the way I came. I loosened my stiff pose and finally looked at the damsel in distress.
"Are you okay?" I was completely lost in her eyes. They were a deep onyx. Weren't they topaz a week ago?
"Yes, I am okay. Thank you." Every other voice would be too loud and obnoxious now that heard her so close up.
"No problem. No problem at all," I said suddenly feeling very shy. Looking down at my shoes.
"I don't know how I would have been able to control myself if you hadn't shown up." She placed her hand on my chest and stared directly into my eyes. My heart beat sped up to unhealthy speeds. Her smile made it beat even faster. I wanted to stay just like that forever, but I knew that was not conducive to my heart, or breathing habits. What did she mean, control herself?
"Why don't you follow me to the office and I will get you a pass for class." I tried to breath with every word.
"Wow, a man with power! I like it." She gave me that award wining smile. Breath Swan. Breathe!
"So what class are you going to?"
"Miss Ransom's Literature."
"Enjoying Romeo and Juliet?"
"Yes, actually it is one of my favorites."
"I would have thought Weathering Heights was your favorite." She looked surprised.
"Now, why would you think that," she asked as she leaned over the counter.
"I noticed you reading it last week. That is not a book that the average 17 year old picks up to past the time."
"Maybe I am not the average 17 year old."
"I can believe that," I said as I leaned close to her on the counter, staring deeper into her eyes. I felt as if she was looking into my soul and I liked it.
"Mmmm," she said as she stood up straight and took two steps back from the counter. Her moving sadden me. "So you are obviously smart, protecting, observant . . . and handsome. Those are very appealing qualities."
I couldn't move, paralyzed by beauty again. The beauty that walked out of the office with my heart. She had said what I wanted to hear from her for over a week. I could never go back to not talking to her.
The rest of the fourth hour flew by, as I contemplated talking to her at lunch or waiting for Biology. Talking to her at lunch meant that I would properly have to approach her burly brothers. However, talking to her at lunch meant that I didn't have to wait a whole other hour for Biology.
I walked out of the office and straight to my locker. Mike was already waiting on me; even he couldn't kill my high right now. Before Mike and I started walking towards the cafeteria, we were joined by Tyler, Jessica, and Lauren. I had no intentions on informing any of them on the events of the day. I hung silently back while they rambled on about some reality show that came on the night before. As I approached the cash register to pay for my lemonade, I noticed that Bella was not at the table with her family. Had she left for the day? Just then my eyes settled on a table slightly between my usual table and the Cullen's table. While this table was usually empty, today it was occupied by one brunette beauty. And she was motioning for me to join her.
"Oh my god, man! I think Bella Cullen wants you to eat lunch with her," Tyler said stopping short of our table. Mike Newton was frozen, and dumb found.
"Well than, I better not keep her waiting then." I slid between Mike and Tyler, leaving Jessica and Lauren beside them.
As I approached the table, I couldn't help but read all the surprised looks that filled the cafeteria. All except Jessica and Lauren. They just looked pissed.
